River Ridge Stables

River Ridge Stables strives to make horses affordable for everyone, and also offer educational opportunities through working around horses. So we have created several programs with those aims in mind.

Working Student/ Internship Program

In an effort to offer an educational opportunity to those who are financially challenged, River Ridge Stables is starting a working student/internship program.  The student would gain invaluable knowledge not only from private riding lessons and participation in equestrian events, but also skills gained from the day to day workings of an active horse farm. Here is an outline of the program:

Student Compensation

-3 private lessons per week with an experienced dressage/hunter/jumper instructor (value of $40 each)

-Opportunity to ride, train, and compete on our show and lesson horses

-Extra hours can be used towards entry fees, horse use, hauling, and coaching at shows

-Paid attendance to clinics and other equestrian events

-Experience gained from working in all aspects of the horse farm

-Earn high school or college credit as an internship experience

Student Working Responsibilities

-General barn duties such as feeding, cleaning stalls, turning horses in and out, cleaning tack and barn

-Horse care such as grooming, bathing, tacking/untacking, and medical treatment

-Assisting veterinarian and farrier

-Assisting with general client needs

-Assist with riding lessons, summer camps, and set up and execution of other farm events

-Assist with farm projects such as building fence, painting, repairs, clearing trails

-Assist with office duties such as answering phone, filing papers, posting flyers, etc

-Ability to work 15-20 hours per week (every 5 hours earns 1 lesson)

Student Requirements

-Ages 16 and up

-Must be able to lift 50 pounds (feed bags)

-Must have adequate horse handling experience

-Riding experience not required

-Reliable transportation to and from the farm

-No specific work period required (summer etc)- student can enter and exit program as needed

Contact Neil Kinser at 636-584-0121 for more information or to schedule an interview.

River Ridge Riders Club

The Riders Club is a free program for children (age 8 to 16) of our clients, where parents can drop the kids off on Tuesday afternoons. The kids help out with chores around the farm, get time and assistance for grooming and riding their horses or lesson horses, and get to interact with other River Ridge kids. Its a great solution for parents who don't have lots of time to spend at the barn and for kids that can't stay away! 

River Ridge Bucks

River Ridge Bucks is money that any client (age 12 and up) of River Ridge can earn by doing certain chores around the farm and put towards board, lessons, or training. There is no commitment as with the working student program. Just put your work boots on and ask what needs to be done!